Clear, accessible and visually appealing displays to engage your visitors in the content that is so important to your organization.

approach to exhibitions

Example of exhibition graphic design t the National Archives

Over the past 15 years I’ve worked hand-in-hand with the staff of museums, galleries, historic houses, and faith-based organizations to visually communicate their stories. It is so much more than graphic design; it is about creating a visitor experience that informs and dazzles. There’s a fine art to integrating text and imagery into a space that feels alive. This is my specialty; as one of my clients always says… “Johanna can turn water into wine!”

For each project I pull together a specialized team from a deep network of like-minded professionals with different technical skills, such as architects, writers, or digital producers. My expertise working with clients and teams hinges on clear and consistent communication, mastery of production techniques, and a keen eye to detail (watch out, I catch typos!) allowing me to deliver stellar projects on time and on budget. I believe in not only sticking to a price point, but finding cost-efficient design solutions that can be easily stored, relocated, or re-used.

exhibition graphic design for yankees project

pricing

The magic and challenge of being an exhibition design consultant is that each project is completely different. Exhibition sites can range from a decommissioned subway station to a nursing home to a corporate lobby. Objects can range from paintings to jewels to baseball bats. In each case, graphics can play a supporting role or be the main event. My approach requires that each project receive a customized proposal and price.

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In my clients’ words…

exhibition testimonials
The Rev. Dr. Adam Robersmith, Senior Minister of the Universalist Church of West Hartford

When we started out, we we’re thinking about a few pictures and a few signs to share our history during our bicentennial year. Learning about what Johanna could do changed what we thought was possible. What Johanna created for us is so much more than we’d imagined. Through her beautiful graphics and clarity of design, our history is vibrant, alive, and easy to share with the congregation and our visitors! We’re proud of our history and who we’ve become. Now we’re proud to display it to everyone who comes into our sanctuary each week.

-Carol May, Senior Partner, May+Watkins Design, LLC

The designs that Johanna created are artistic, beautiful and appropriate. Each one is a lovely artwork in itself. I could not have asked for more. In addition, they mesh wonderfully with our sculptures. Her files and technical work were perfect, and everything went smoothly.

Johanna had to submit all her designs to a large committee comprised of park employees and public art officers. There were many design, copy and photo changes, but Johanna maintained her good humor and patience throughout, and demonstrated mature management ability.

I relied greatly on her help, flexibility and understanding. I look forward to working with her again in the near future.

–Andrea Rapacz, Head of Interpretive Projects, Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford

Johanna was really great to work with – she has creative and insightful ideas, is easy-going and completely organized! After she developed the graphics and worked with us to select a color palette for our new 2,000 sq. ft 19th and 20th century galleries, called “Making Connecticut,” we asked her re-design the graphics in the existing 17th and 18th century galleries. This part of the project was particularly challenging because the graphics for the old exhibition needed to be integrated into the new design so it all looked like the one exhibition – and it does! We especially appreciated her work on an interactive map – she had many helpful suggestions that improved our original concept considerably. I hope to have the opportunity to work with her again in the future!

Nancy Johnson, Curator, Museum at Eldridge Street

Johanna Goldfeld to us came highly recommended by Mark Podwal, an artist for whom she designed an exhibition. I was so pleased with her work that we have used her for several exhibitions. She’s created graphic identities, designed text panels and labels, and determined complex sizing and arranging of photographs. She is a team player in the best sense: taking direction, providing a creative response, responding to requests for change, and finally getting it all into production. I’ll definitely be calling her for our next show, too.

Warren Klein, Curator, Bernard Museum of Judaica, Congregation Emanu-El of the City of New York

I had been wanting to work with Johanna on an exhibition for a few years, and when we decided to mount an exhibition about Barbra Streisand it was great timing. Johanna’s approach brought us just the right amount of whimsy, clean lines and a keen eye that was the perfect fit for the subject matter. Her creativity generated many great ideas, including some high tech features like our recording studio! I could not have done this exhibition without her. I look forward to collaborating with Johanna in the future.

- Sandra Shahinian Leitner, [Position], St, Vartan Armenian Cathedral

My team and I contacted Johanna Goldfeld only 7 months before the opening of our exhibition “Image of a Living Church,” a commemorative exhibition in observance of the 50th anniversary of St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, located at Second Ave and 34th St in Manhattan. We were referred to her by the Metropolitan Museum. As a group of volunteers who knew little to nothing about an exhibition of this type, we embarked upon the project with a steep learning curve.

Johanna was so very helpful in coaching our team; we were passionate about our subject matter, but had little experience in curating an exhibition. She was patient, understanding, and extremely organized. She kept us on track and guided us to the best uses of our material. She also grasped the sacred nature of the project. We were privileged to have her artistic sensibility applied to our project. Her skills extend beyond the visual and technical abilities of a designer. She has great verbal and written communication skills; she selected and managed the installer and printer we used for the project which would have been a daunting prospect for us without her help.

I couldn’t have asked for a better experience or outcome using Johanna Goldfeld for this exhibition. We had a very successful opening with over 600 people in attendance and the exhibition will remain up for the remainder of the year for church members from other regions to visit. I am very grateful to Johanna and recommend her without reservation.

Bonnie Kirschstein, Managing Director, The Forbes Galleries

When she began working with us in 2006, Johanna Goldfeld brought a whole new dimension to graphics at The Forbes Galleries. With her use of color, font choices and imagery, she created consistent but dynamic design packages and figured out new and exciting ways to marry the content of a given exhibit with the graphic scheme so that they speak to each other seamlessly. She brought us into the twenty-first century and the third dimension with her knowledge and use of Vectorworks and InDesign; thus expanding our ability to see the finished look prior to installation. (as opposed to the 100% hand-made paper mockups we were using previously). Johanna’s exceptional design, writing, and managerial skills, in combination with her curatorial background and lovely demeanor make her a pleasure to work with and a true asset to our department.